Your Ancestors + Funeral Photography

At one Thanksgiving gathering when I was a teen, my grandmother and aunt pulled out the family photographs. Among those photographs I stumbled across post mortem photos of various ancestors. Eww! Really?! For years, I thought my relatives were strange for having these photographs. Then I started my genealogy research and learned taking post mortem pictures were not just some weird thing my ancestors did.

It was a common practice at one time.

A Common Practice

Taking post mortem photos was a common practice in the Victorian era. This type of formal photography was popular among those who could afford it. The popularity of this type of photography peaked in the late 1800’s. By the early 20th century, cameras were more available and affordable to the general public. Formal funeral photography declined as families were able to take their own.

Example of 1924 Funeral Photograph Taken by Family

Today it is hard to imagine why these photographs were taken. However, back in the Victorian era, death was considered a part of life. Infant mortality and child deaths occurred at a much higher rate than today. These photographs helped in the family’s grieving process and were often the only photograph or visual remembrance of a deceased family member.

This type of photography is also referred to as funeral photography or memento mori. Taking a post mortem photo of a child was particularly common. This was often the only photograph parents had of a child that died young. Photos of a deceased child may show the child posed in sleep or posed with other family members to appear alive.

I have had to revise my assumption of my ancestors being weird about their photographs. They were just adhering to the customs of the day. Still, the post mortem photographs are disturbing to many (me included), so I keep them separate from the rest of my collection.

What about you? Have you any examples of funeral photography among your ancestors’ photographs?

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About Lisa

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Wonderful Detailed Reports

“After both my parents died, I thought my links to my family history were lost forever. I turned to a genealogy website to try to track down information about my heritage, and found evidence that I qualified to be a Daughter of the American Revolution. Knowing that the official paperwork would require documentation of my ancestors, I turned to Lisa Lisson (no relation) for assistance. She helped track down the links between my Patriot ancestor and me, and helped me to submit my documents to become a Daughter of the American Revolution. Lisa also sent me wonderful detail-filled reports on different members of my family. I have built quite a collection of reprints of family history books based on the sources she found. Lisa’s reports and my book collection will be a resource for my young nephews when they get older and begin asking about where they came from. I can share stories of Puritans and farmers and witchcraft and Irish butchers and Indian raids and pioneers!”

Kathleen L.

2016-09-05T15:10:44+00:00

Kathleen L.

“After both my parents died, I thought my links to my family history were lost forever. I turned to a genealogy website to try to track down information about my heritage, and found evidence that I qualified to be a Daughter of the American Revolution. Knowing that the official paperwork would require documentation of my ancestors, I turned to Lisa Lisson (no relation) for assistance. She helped track down the links between my Patriot ancestor and me, and helped me to submit my documents to become a Daughter of the American Revolution. Lisa also sent me wonderful detail-filled reports on different members of my family. I have built quite a collection of reprints of family history books based on the sources she found. Lisa’s reports and my book collection will be a resource for my young nephews when they get older and begin asking about where they came from. I can share stories of Puritans and farmers and witchcraft and Irish butchers and Indian raids and pioneers!”

http://lisalisson.com/testimonials/wonderful-detailed-reports/

A Partner In Research

I have been a family history researcher for over 30 years ever since my father left me his notes on his family. Since then I have worked with a number of other researchers who have helped me find good sources as I am a stickler for documentary proof of facts.
I consider myself very fortunate to have come in contact with Lisa Lisson. She is diligent and clever about finding those small bits of data that connect people in obscure past records. Beyond that, Lisa is a joy to work with, adaptable, insightful and flexible. She takes a suggestion and works it into a plan of action adapted to my schedule and budget. Above all she is honest about what is possible and prudent in terms of cost and results. I have come to consider her a partner in my work.

Jim S.

2016-09-05T15:17:32+00:00

Jim S.

I have been a family history researcher for over 30 years ever since my father left me his notes on his family. Since then I have worked with a number of other researchers who have helped me find good sources as I am a stickler for documentary proof of facts. I consider myself very fortunate to have come in contact with Lisa Lisson. She is diligent and clever about finding those small bits of data that connect people in obscure past records. Beyond that, Lisa is a joy to work with, adaptable, insightful and flexible. She takes a suggestion and works it into a plan of action adapted to my schedule and budget. Above all she is honest about what is possible and prudent in terms of cost and results. I have come to consider her a partner in my work.

http://lisalisson.com/testimonials/a-partner-in-research/

Thank You!

Thank you for the great ideas and the incentive to get what photos we have identified. I know I have photos from that my grandmother saved that are not marked in any way and no one seems to know who they are. She didn’t share them during her lifetime, but they were found after she passed away.

Michelle T.

2016-09-05T15:25:58+00:00

Michelle T.

Thank you for the great ideas and the incentive to get what photos we have identified. I know I have photos from that my grandmother saved that are not marked in any way and no one seems to know who they are. She didn’t share them during her lifetime, but they were found after she passed away.

http://lisalisson.com/testimonials/thank-you/

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